SRAM Releases the First Aero Disc Brake

From mountain and adventure to road riding, hydraulic disc brakes are becoming increasingly popular. And for good reason – they’re powerful, quick, and responsive, offering stopping power that remains constant no matter the weather. (Looking to improve your speed on the bike? Try Bicycling's Get Fast training program.)

Now SRAM has extended the use of hydraulic disc brakes to time trials and triathlons.

The new S-900 Aero HRD Disc Brake is the first aero-specific hydraulic disc brake to reach the market (TRP and Magura are rumored to have offerings coming soon). Designed for time trial and triathlon bikes, the S-900 uses a lever design specifically for bull horn style TT bars.

Cyclists like Marcel Kittel are using disc brakes in the Tour de France for the first time:

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Additionally, the S-900 includes many of the same features as other SRAM brake systems, such as textured carbon brake levers, Reach Adjust for solid grip, and ergonomics for a range of hand sizes. The S-900 also uses the Bleeding Edge technology found in other SRAM hydraulics; it allows for a neat, 90-second bleed.

For all their advantages, disc brakes have been found to be marginally less aerodynamic than rim brakes in sidewinds, especially when the wind comes from the left of the bike. From press release we received, it’s hard to tell whether the SRAM S-900 caliper has been updated from the regular SRAM Red 22, so we’ll have to wait for the wind tunnel data to find out whether the S-900 solves the crosswind issue.

The S-900 Aero HRD Disc Brake, priced at $249, is only compatible with the new flat mount standard of frame and fork attachment and is recommended for use with 160mm or 140mm CenterLine X rotors.

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